The best way to buy the right hockey equipment is to find a store or outlet that specializes in hockey equipment and has knowledgeable salespeople who can not only help pick out the best gear for you and[more…]

Historians say that the first organized all-women's hockey game took place in Barrie, Ontario, in 1892 — more than two decades before the National Hockey League was founded. But there is evidence that[more…]

Hockey teams may dress no more than 18 players, excluding goalies, for each game. A list of all eligible players must be given to the referee or official scorer beforehand, and after that no roster changes[more…]

Parents of school-age hockey players and other child athletes must uphold a code of behavior, especially when they attend games and practices. The Canadian Hockey Association says that setting a good example[more…]

Obviously, if you don’t score goals, you won’t win the hockey game. Make sure you're passing and shooting the puck quickly and accurately to make the most of your hockey team's offense. Use these guidelines[more…]

In ice hockey, a penalty results in a player spending time in the penalty box. Ice hockey has three types of penalties: minor, major, and misconduct. The harsher the penalty, the harsher the punishment[more…]

An ice hockey team is made up of six players, each with a specific position and job. The job of offense is to score goals, and the defense is there to protect the goal. The following list describes each[more…]

Make sure you’re prepared before you hit the ice to play hockey. Understanding the rules of ice hockey is only the first step toward becoming a great hockey player; you also need to know how to play safely[more…]

An official NHL (National Hockey League) rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide; an international competition rink is longer by 15 feet. The rink is divided by the red line, has two blue lines, five face-off[more…]

If you’re playing hockey, or just want to understand the game, you need to know your way around the rink, how to shoot and pass the puck, what makes up a hockey penalty, the positions on a hockey team,[more…]

Keep this checklist on your clipboard and review the list before or after hockey practices, meetings, or any encounter with the athletes you coach. All these steps will become second nature in time, and[more…]

Effective drills are a very important part of any hockey practice session. They can help beginner players develop their skating, puck-control, and passing and receiving skills. To aim for conducting excellent[more…]

As a hockey coach, you’re about to leap off the bench into one of the most rewarding jobs you’ll ever experience. Coaches spend time teaching, leading, motivating, communicating, being a hockey technician[more…]

Negative attitudes can be a real challenge in coaching hockey. How do you tone down the disruptive and ratchet up the excessively shy players on your team? You may come upon some of the attitude challenges[more…]

When you get caught up in day-to-day coaching and the hectic pace of things going on, you may find it a challenge to keep a broader picture in perspective, such as where does playing minor hockey fit in[more…]

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for as a coach — your chance to shine as a great hockey strategist. The game is about to begin. Your beginners are stepping onto the ice. Some lose their balance[more…]

As players master the basic skills of skating and puck handling, hockey coaches can begin to shift the focus from technique to speed and quickness in these skills. Here are some drills that you can teach[more…]

These hockey drills help players develop the intermediate skills of more advanced passing, shooting, and scoring. Work on accuracy first, slowing the drills down, if necessary. Then begin to emphasize[more…]

As coach, you can and should minimize the chances of your players getting injured in the first place. Taking certain preventative measures ahead of time will also help you deal with potential injuries[more…]

Expect parents of hockey players to be biased about their child’s abilities and expectations. Their perception versus reality will often not match yours. Also, expect some parents to put themselves above[more…]